Behind the Barre: Celebrating the Align Ballet Method Team by Michael Cornell
I want to take a moment—not to toot my own horn—but to celebrate *our* horn: the incredible team behind Align Ballet Method. I’m not here to talk about myself. This post is about the people who make our company what it is. That includes not only our instructors but also our pianists, administrators, and support team behind the scenes.
If I had to describe them in one word, it would be: professional.
To me, a professional is someone who shows up with intention, understands the quality of service we provide, and delivers their best—every single time. Professionals are those who have mastery in their craft and who carry themselves with care and consistency. And right now, I believe we have the strongest team we’ve ever had.
This isn’t a knock on anyone from the past—we’ve always had exceptional talent. If there were any missteps, they were mine. It took me time, trial, and error to understand exactly what kind of person thrives at Align and how to clearly communicate our expectations and brand values. We offer something unique: high-level, structured ballet training for adult beginners, delivered with purpose and kindness. That requires more than just skill—it requires heart.
Through experience, I learned that hiring a great dancer doesn’t always mean hiring a great teacher—or the right fit for our students. You can be technically brilliant but not aligned with our teaching process or lack the interpersonal warmth required to make a student feel seen, safe, and inspired.
So I adjusted. I refined how we hire. Today, I seek out instructors who are not only beautiful dancers, but also:
Kind and open-hearted
Humble and free of ego
Communicative and coachable
Comfortable with structure
Naturally warm and confident
Yes, I guess you could say I’ve started hiring for “vibe.” And that vibe has created a culture I’m deeply proud of—one that I try to lead by example. Our culture becomes reciprocal, as we begin attracting these same qualities in our students—and this supportive warmth becomes the DNA of our community.
This clarity has paid off in all the ways that matter. Our instructors understand our process, honor our policies, and support our students with care. This alignment has improved our student retention, increased revenue, and made daily operations smoother and more joyful.
But more than that, it has made my life as a business owner easier—and far more fulfilling.
They say the hardest part of running a business is hiring. I’ve learned that the key to hiring well is knowing exactly who you’re looking for—and what kind of culture you’re trying to build. For us, it’s about more than just ballet. It’s about creating an environment that’s positive, welcoming, and nurturing. That starts with people.
I feel incredibly fortunate. Many of our team members came to us through referrals or reached out directly. We’ve somehow attracted the right people at the right time, and I don’t take that for granted.
At the heart of our brand is the word **ALIGN**. It was chosen intentionally—to represent the balance and harmony we seek not only in movement but in our relationships, our communication, and our values. We work hard to foster an environment free from the toxicity that often haunts the dance world. Instead, we’ve built a sanctuary where people feel safe, empowered, and supported.
That’s the real foundation of our success. Our curriculum and structure are strong—but it’s the **people** who make Align Ballet Method truly special.
To our team: I love you. I mean that sincerely. You make this company what it is. You make my life easier. You inspire me. And you inspire our students.
To our students: thank you for showing up, again and again. Your support is the reason this community exists. If you’ve had a great experience with one of our instructors, leave a comment below—or better yet, send a short video to **[inbox@alignballetmethod.com](mailto:inbox@alignballetmethod.com)** so we can share your story on social media.
This blog post is a love letter—to the staff who show up with excellence and heart, and to the students who trust us with their journey.
We’re aligned. And as Martha Stewart would say—it’s a good thing.